Narrow artery not always impairs flow

The new Multislice CT-scanner makes it possible to measure blood circulation in the brain in a matter of minutes.

Using this scanner, Annet Waaijer has shown in her doctoral research that only 20 percent of patients with a narrow carotid artery also actually have less blood flow through this artery. However, this small group benefits the most from treatment whereby a tube inserted through the groin is brought to the place where the narrowing occurs. This means that the other patients with a narrow carotid artery and who do suffer from poor circulation will probably not benefit a great deal from such an operation. Narrowing of the carotid artery can lead to a stroke, resulting in temporary or lasting paralysis.

Waaijer will receive her PhD from Utrecht University on October 24. The title of her thesis is, “Multislice CT of the symptomatic carotid artery.”